The New Britain Bees have handed the ball to a new general manager, promoting the team's vice president of business development, Brad Smith, following the retirement of Gerry Berthiaume.

Smith joins the Bees full time after working with New Britain and the Bridgeport Bluefish during the 2017 season. The Bees and Bluefish share some ownership, but the Bluefish are leaving Bridgeport for High Point, N.C., after the city of Bridgeport chose to convert the stadium to an amphitheater. Both are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Berthiaume, 62, joined the Bees in January, returning to New Britain professional baseball after previously working as GM for teams that included the New Britain Red Sox and New Britain Rock Cats until 1999, when the team was sold.

Smith's baseball experience dates to 1995 as a concessions intern with the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A Minnesota Twins). He worked his way into a president/GM/ownership role from 2005-2015 with the Kannapolis Intimidators (Single-A, Chicago White Sox). While with Kannapolis, Smith negotiated the team's stadium lease and naming rights, as well as managed the day-to-day operations of the team and facility.

He also has experience as the owner and president of the Wilmington Sharks, a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plain League from 2014 to 2016.